Peer-led programmes have become more widespread in recent years, and are recognised as an effective method of delivering sexuality education to adolescents and young adults. These educational programmes have for the most part been developed by health professionals and other community stakeholders, and young people are involved primarily in the delivery of a set curriculum.

There is significant evidence to demonstrate that young people feel more comfortable receiving such education from other young people – peer or “near-peer” educators - and that these programmes are effective in spurring behavioural changes such as increased condom use, as well as changes in attitudes around gender and sexuality.
Scarleteen.com, founded in 1998, is a unique online sex education resource that expands this peer-education model even further. The site is made up of static content in the form of articles, blog entries and in-depth advice questions, as well as interactive message boards and an SMS service available to users in the United States. Young people play a critical role in every aspect of Scarleteen’s day-to-day operations. In a way that differentiates Scarleteen from other peer education programmes, young people’s involvement extends to everything from creating new content to participating in decision-making regarding any changes to the site.
This paper will explore Scarleteen’s take on peer education, advocate for its model of inclusive, youth-driven, sex-positive education, and demonstrate that elements of its educational philosophy can be adapted to a wide range of contexts both online, and in person.